NM Psych Juris cheat sheet

The New Mexico Psychology Practice Act is codified in NMSA 1978, Chapter 61, Article 9; the Board of Psychologist Examiners adopts implementing rules in 16 NMAC, Chapter 22.

The Board of Psychologist Examiners sits within the Regulation and Licensing Department; it licenses psychologists, psychologist associates, and prescribing psychologists and investigates complaints.

Grounds for discipline include unprofessional or unethical conduct, gross negligence, practicing beyond one's authorized scope, obtaining licensure by fraud, and failing to comply with continuing education requirements.

16 NMAC 22.1 sets the Code of Professional Conduct: competence limits, informed consent, confidentiality and its limits, multiple-relationship avoidance, and accurate public statements.

Confidentiality may be breached without consent where required by law (e.g., suspected child or vulnerable-adult abuse reporting), for court orders, or to avert serious imminent harm.

Sexual or romantic contact with a current client is prohibited; a minimum two-year post-termination interval applies before any such relationship, and the burden of justification rests on the psychologist.

Client records must be maintained for a defined retention period after the last professional contact, and records must be released to the client or successor on request consistent with law.

Fee splitting with referral sources and paying for referrals are prohibited; advertising must not be false, deceptive, or likely to create unjustified expectations.

The Board may impose reprimand, probation, suspension, revocation, civil penalties, or required remedial education; it may also order supervised practice or practice restrictions.

Psychologist licensure requires a doctoral degree in psychology from a regionally accredited institution, supervised postdoctoral experience (generally two years), and passing the EPPP plus the New Mexico jurisprudence examination.

Applicants must disclose all prior licenses, disciplinary actions, and criminal history; the Board may deny licensure for conduct that would be grounds for discipline.

A psychologist associate practices under Board-recognized supervision: the associate holds a master's degree in psychology or a doctoral degree without the full supervised experience and must be supervised by a licensed psychologist.

Psychologist associates must have a written supervision agreement specifying frequency of supervision, the supervisor's responsibilities, and the associate's scope; supervision hours and contacts are documented.

Continuing education is required at each renewal, including Board-specified hours in ethics and in New Mexico jurisprudence; documentation must be retained for audit.

Prescribing psychologists hold an additional credential under the Psychopharmacology Act; eligibility requires licensure as a psychologist plus a Board-approved postdoctoral training program in psychopharmacology and a passing examination.

Prescribing psychologists may prescribe, administer, and monitor psychotropic medications within the scope defined by rule, subject to collaboration, consultation, and referral requirements set by the Board.

Prescribing psychologists must maintain a collaborative relationship with the client's primary care or medical provider and document medication evaluations, informed consent, and monitoring.

License renewal is periodic with fees; practicing on an expired or lapsed license, or aiding unlicensed practice, is a violation subject to Board discipline.